Ah, Spring!

    The joy of life renewing itself with no nudging needed.  Though I am nowhere near the piney woods of southern Mississippi today, I smell the azaleas and sweet olive, find the dogwood a-bloom in the corners of my mind, and see the violets and tiny star flowers studding the grasses of home.

    Yet last week I had the chance to walk slickrock canyon country with new, old friends--just met, but known from since mind out of time.  They may have saved my life.  They certainly reminded me why I want to live it, and why I must do so following trails that make specific sense to me.

    I have been blessed these last few years: with a home life that is joyous beyond anything I could ever have hoped for.  A partner who has never once--not in the three years since we first met--said or done anything to hurt me; a man who makes me laugh every day, holds me when I cry, never judges, always believes, and keeps my heart safe and my mind happily puttering down the road.  A daughter who has become a dear, dear friend and inspiration.  A yard slam full of giant dogs who manage quite nicely to keep me humble.  A tiny hedgehog who goes about his existence with a quiet integrity seldom found among my own species.  A body that hasn't given up and is growing stronger by the day.  A small extended family of both blood kin and affines who hold my feet to the ground of now without resorting to barbwire hobbles. 

    I read Gandhi and Tolstoy and Thich Nhat Hanh; think of Mother Theresa and the millions of unnamed folks who surely must've lived noble, simple lives for peace clear off the pages of history: and I find plenty reasons to smile and have faith and go on. 

    Enjoy this greening season!

Warmest regards,

h

Return to main page

Read previous letters